Cold-Weather Jacket/Pants/Suit Buyer’s Guide

Brrr, there’s a chill in the air. To extend your riding season into the fall and winter months we’ve compiled a list of new wearables from our industry’s recognized apparel manufacturers.

For this guide, we stuck with gear that doesn’t require electricity to keep you warm and specifically sought out waterproof – not water-repellent or -resistant – items. Keeping to this criteria, we still found a staggering 246 items, for both men and women, ranging in price from a couple hundred bucks to well over four digits. And odds are good we still missed a few. Instead of clogging the internet with everything we found, this guide will bring you 10 items (or combination of items) that span the collection.

Alpinestars has offered gear suitable for sport-touring riders in the past, but labeled the apparel under the Road Sport or Tech Touring monikers. For 2016, Alpinestars is removing the ambiguity with the Sport-Touring collection, which includes the all-new Pikes Drystar jacket and the updated AST-1 Waterproof Pants. The multi-material Pikes Drystar jacket is constructed from a reinforced polyamide main shell and incorporates Alpinestars’ full-length, waterproof lining as well as a removable thermal liner. AST-1 waterproof pants have pre-curved leg construction and articulated knee design, while extra protection is afforded by strategically placed ballistic nylon reinforcements.

Alpinestars carries a variety garments, for both men and women, suitable for wet and cold/chilly rides, ranging in price. See them all at www.Alpinestars.com.

At $899.95, Dainese’s D. Explorer Gore-Tex jacket is only the brand’s second-most expensive jacket that fits our parameters. Still, for this price, you can expect some premium options. First, the combo is made from abrasion-resistant, elasticised Mugello and Quick Dry fabrics with elasticised strategically placed inserts. The numerous adjustments mean that the jacket can adapt better to the wearer’s body and offer superb freedom of movement. Also, the jacket is completely modular. When it’s cold and wet out, the thermal liner will help keep you warm while the Gore-Tex membrane keeps you dry. As the temps pick up, the modular flap system allows the rider to peel away sections of the jacket – from breast to torso – to allow airflow. A similar design is seen on the matching D. Explorer Gore-Tex pants, allowing the wearer to strip away panels on the thigh. CE-certified protection in all key areas is a given.

Dainese lists no less than 30 jackets and pants, for both men and women, ranging in price from $259.95 – $1,195.95, to keep you dry and warm in inclement weather. See them all at www.Dainese.com.

Available in both men’s and women’s versions (women’s shown here), the Adventure Tour jacket and Adventure Tour pant combo from Fieldsheer is constructed from abrasion-resistant 500-denier Maxtena-Pro on the outer shell, while removable CE-approved armor rests in the shoulders, elbows, back and knees. The jacket and pants both feature a unique two-stage liner system incorporating a waterproof and breathable liner, as well as a waterproof insulated liner to keep the rider dry and comfortable in cold or moderately warm conditions. Little details like articulations in the sleeve and knee areas make the combo comfy to wear in the riding position, while an assortment of pockets ensure you have a place for your stuff.

Fieldsheer has a total of eight products that fit our criteria for cold/wet weather riding, with prices ranging from $259.99-$439.99. See the rest at www.fieldsheer.com.

A great bang-for-the-buck item on the list, the Jaunt T2 jacket from Firstgear packs a lot of options into a very affordable price. Hypertex high-density 600-denier polyester is both waterproof and breathable to keep rain and the elements away, while a fully-sleeved, detachable liner keeps the rider warm. Two front 8-inch intake, and two 10-inch exhaust vents help flow air, and adjustable straps on the collar, arms, sleeve cuffs and waist help ensure a tailored fit. To help other motorists see you at night, reflective panels are fitted on the front, side, arms and back. So confident is Firstgear in the Jaunt T2 that it offers a one-year limited warranty on it.

Firstgear has a total of 11 products labeled to be waterproof and worthy of winter use. Prices range from $199.95-$649.95. Go to www.firstgear-usa.com to see them.

The Joe Rocket Ballistic Adventure jacket and pant combo represent the more affordable end of this list. Environmental protection starts with a double overstitched, water- and U.V.-resistant RockTex 600 outer chassis. For serious downpours, tucked in behind the 2-way main zipper and double cross-over storm flaps, the Adventure also includes a removable waterproof liner that is backed by an additional insulated full sleeve liner to take you well into colder climates. Once the temps start rising, six vents allow air to flow, and for extreme heat, the lower sleeves are fully removable. Impact protection is provided by Ballistic Nylon reinforcements at the shoulders and elbows, with CE-certified armor underneath. Meanwhile, the Ballistic 7.0 pants feature a heavy-duty 630 Hitena twill nylon outer with a removable waterproof liner. There’s CE knee protection and melt-resistant material on the lower leg, too.

Joe Rocket lists 11 products for wet and cold riding, in sizes and styles for both men and women. Prices range from $149.99 – $414.99. See them all at www.joerocket.com.

Most commonly known for its motorcycles, Harley-Davidson’s line of Motor Clothes is impressive. Take the FXRG Switchback Leather Jacket and FXRG Leather/Textile pant combo. The jacket’s midweight cowhide leather features panels that zip off to create a mesh jacket with a polyester mesh body lining. A removable zip-out full-sleeve waterproof liner includes a zip-out full-sleeve warmth liner to keep you warm and dry. Meanwhile, a triple-vent system allows air to circulate once the temps pick up. There’s lightweight armor at the elbows and shoulders for impact protection, plus a back pocket for a separate back protector. The leather/textile pant is water- and wind-proof thanks to Cocona Technology. Removable, lightweight armor at the knee and hip help absorb impact in a fall, and the zipper leg openings with gussets allow for easy fit over jeans.

Harley-Davidson lists 27 items for both men and women, ranging in price from $160-$795. See them all at www.harley-davidson.com.

Far and away the most expensive pairing on this list, the Rukka Merlin Jacket and Pant combo are constructed from Gore-Tex Pro Shell three-layer leather laminate. This makes the Merlin’s leather completely waterproof and windproof, yet still durable and breathable. TFL Cool Leather improves thermal comfort in both hot and cold conditions, while patented RVP Air Protectors are CE-approved and found in the elbows, shoulders, back and knees. The Merlin jacket comes with a detachable Gore-Tex collar, while the pant features detachable suspenders.

Rukka has 11 jacket/pant combos listed as waterproof that also provide warmth. They range in price from $699-$1,299. See them all at www.rukka.com.

The least expensive full suit in the Spidi lineup, the Voyager 3 series consists of a two-piece suit with Tenax Tactel polyamide outer fabric combined with Spidi’s H2Out waterproof, breathable and windbreaking membrane. CE protection is located at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, while insulating liners for both jacket and pant help keep the rider warm on cold rides. Seven outside pockets include two that are waterproof, and the various straps on the arms and waist help customize the fit to the rider.

Spidi has a total of 36 items suitable for waterproof winter riding for both men and women, ranging in price from $299.90 to $1,999.80. See them all at www.spidi.com.

Transitioning from one climate to another demands different features, and the Transition Series 4 delivers. From a cold early-morning ride to a humid afternoon ride, opening up the Pipeline vents on the chest, underarms, and back maximize airflow. Should your ride go from warm to downright wet and cold, the jacket’s Rainguard barrier, along with the waterproof zippers on the Pipeline vents, and the removable insulated liner will keep you dry and cozy. For further weather protection, the Transition 4 jacket also features Tour Master’s patented Aqua-Barrier Under-The-Helmet Hood, which deploys from the collar. Worn over your head and under the helmet, the Aqua-Barrier hood will prevent rain from seeping down the back of your neck.

Tourmaster has 16 jacket or pant options for wet/cold weather riding. Prices range from $92.99-$399.99. See them all at www.tourmaster.com.